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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by KDB on October 23, 2004, at 12:57:30
This horrible drug has added to my depression by giving me something else to be depressed about......MY WEIGHT. I used to be slender and in good shape; however, Effexor has turned me into a walking tub of lard. I have gained over 75 pounds on this drug. Since I have gone off of it, the effects of brain shocks, anxiety, panic attacks, sweats, confusion, nausea, and nightmares only add to my depression (something Effexor was supposed to have helped, but DID NOT).
Does anyone have these problems after being off of this devil-drug over 1 week? My Dr. states that these side effects should have already gone away, and if I still have them, it is not the drug that is the problem. I beg to differ.Does anyone else feel the same way? Effexor is dangerous! It should be bained from the market, and the manufacturers made to pay for their negligence.
Still hurting.
Posted by Racer on October 23, 2004, at 17:19:45
In reply to Effexor and weight gain, posted by KDB on October 23, 2004, at 12:57:30
Did your doctor have you stop the Effexor all at once, or taper down? How long were you on it, and at what dose?
Effexor is known to have what's being called a "discontinuation syndrome" -- what the rest of us call "withdrawal" -- so you do have to taper down, some more slowly than others. What you're describing is pretty typical withdrawal from Effexor, and it's not going to be gone "within a week." Your doctor is a bit behind the times on that one, this is not new information.
While I didn't gain 75 pounds on it, and I was also taking Prozac at the same time, I did gain about 50 pounds while taking it. The good news on that front is that after a very, very slow tapering off, the weight was already starting to come off. Within a few months, I was almost back to my normal weight. That was with no real changes to diet or exercise, except what came from being a bit more active because the sedation was gone.
Let us know your dose and how long you were on it, and maybe someone here can suggest a better tapering schedule to you.
Good luck. And if you do stick with cold turkey, it will pass eventually. Just won't be fun while you're waiting.
Posted by KDB on October 23, 2004, at 22:58:04
In reply to Re: Effexor and weight gain » KDB, posted by Racer on October 23, 2004, at 17:19:45
I have been on 75mg for 6 months. I have just recently taken myself off of it because I could not handle all the weight gain from use of it. My Dr. states that it is only water weight. I never saw water jiggle like fat. I tryed to tell him that the syptoms I have from withdrawal are real and still with me, but he reatedly states that it is impossible and that it must be something else. I know he is not up-to-date. He delivered me and my sisters. I will be seeing him Monday for this problem. I know my thyroid has shut down on me. He states that it is impossible to damage the thyroid from just medication. Maybe I need a new physician. He will not let me taper down, just quit cold turkey. Any help or advice is welcome.
Posted by King Vultan on October 24, 2004, at 11:54:15
In reply to Effexor and weight gain, posted by KDB on October 23, 2004, at 12:57:30
> This horrible drug has added to my depression by giving me something else to be depressed about......MY WEIGHT. I used to be slender and in good shape; however, Effexor has turned me into a walking tub of lard. I have gained over 75 pounds on this drug. Since I have gone off of it, the effects of brain shocks, anxiety, panic attacks, sweats, confusion, nausea, and nightmares only add to my depression (something Effexor was supposed to have helped, but DID NOT).
> Does anyone have these problems after being off of this devil-drug over 1 week? My Dr. states that these side effects should have already gone away, and if I still have them, it is not the drug that is the problem. I beg to differ.
>
> Does anyone else feel the same way? Effexor is dangerous! It should be bained from the market, and the manufacturers made to pay for their negligence.
>
> Still hurting.
>
I feel bad that you've had such a horrible experience, but the drug has helped many people, and not everyone gains weight. When I was on it, I think it may have slowed down my metabolism, but it killed my appetite even more such that my weight either stayed the same, or I might have lost a little. The propensity for weight gain on drugs like this exhibits a tremendous variation between different individuals and seems hard to predict. I agree with Racer that withdrawal symptoms can certainly last for longer than a week. Their severity and duration also show a lot of individual variation. Best wishes in making it through this period that I know must be very difficult for you.Todd
Posted by saw on October 25, 2004, at 1:16:36
In reply to Re: Effexor and weight gain » KDB, posted by King Vultan on October 24, 2004, at 11:54:15
This subject rarely leaves my mind these days. Effexor has helped my depression, there is no doubt about that but the weight gain and ever increasing list of side effects have become too much for me. My weight is disgusting and I look disgusting. My doctor did have empathy and we are changing the med but I could also see that she did not feel the weight gain was caused by the Effexor. I am tapering down from 150mg over three weeks and will then start Lamictal. The only withdrawal that I am experiencing at the moment since reducing dosage is headaches. My weight had definitely not yet reduced but I guess I will have to be patient.
I have very mixed feelings about Effexor. While I am not sorry that I took it to get a grip on my crippling depression, I am devastated at the weight gain. That just shattered an already broken self esteem.
Sabrina
Posted by Racer on October 25, 2004, at 11:24:38
In reply to Re: Effexor and weight gain, posted by saw on October 25, 2004, at 1:16:36
I've read here and there that Effexor has been shown to affect blood glucose metabolism in some people. I know it was true for me. My average blood sugar reading is 72, and on Effexor is was ranging from 38 to 180 -- that last being into diabetic territory. That can affect weight.
Unfortunately, that's not something many doctors seem to have read about, although it's been published at least twice.
I'm very sorry that you've experienced this. Again, on a combination of Prozac -- known to cause weight gain -- and Effexor, I gained about 50 pounds, maybe a bit more since I just stopped getting on scales after a certain point. It did come off after I came off the drug, although it took a while.
Have you considered Cymbalta, instead of Lamictal? Just a thought, since you responded well otherwise to Effexor.
Best luck to you, and be well -- and slim!
Posted by saw on October 26, 2004, at 2:38:58
In reply to Re: Effexor and weight gain » saw, posted by Racer on October 25, 2004, at 11:24:38
Thanks Racer. I'm in such an ugly state of mind. Totally counterproductive. I just can't help ripping myself to shreds and blaming myself. My logic keeps saying it must be me, how can a capsule make me put on weight!?
Anyway, I am going for a T4 / TSH Thyroid test this week as well. I know that my metabolism is slow, but wanted to rule any further culprits out completely.
And now, if I could just stop craving salty, crunch foods like pretzels and crisps and popcorn and and and ..
Sabrina
Posted by KDB on October 26, 2004, at 11:25:16
In reply to Re: Effexor and weight gain » saw, posted by Racer on October 25, 2004, at 11:24:38
Posted by Racer on October 26, 2004, at 11:45:13
In reply to Re: Effexor and weight gain » Racer, posted by saw on October 26, 2004, at 2:38:58
My husband brings home Ruffles BBQ Potato Chips from the supermarket regularly. He says it's because the old cat, who suffers chronic renal failure, likes them. The result, of course, is that bowls of the Evil Things appear on my lap, along with the cat, since he doesn't have opposable thumbs with which to open the bag, get out the bowl, etc. Personally, I think Hubby is trying to get me to eat more, but the cat ain't complaining about it...
(For crispy, salty, crunchy snacks, I keep a couple of jars of Claussen Kosher Dill pickle slices, and Claussen Bread & Butter pickle slices around. They also help a lot with keeping one hydrated. Believe it or not, for about 40 calories, you can satisfy an awful lot of that snack urge...)
AND IT'S NOT YOU!!!! Those damn drugs do pack on the pounds. No question about it, and if your doctor tells you otherwise, remind him that just because it's a time honored tradition in medicine to blame the patient, don't mean it's the RIGHT way to do it.
Good luck.
Posted by KDB on October 26, 2004, at 12:04:01
In reply to (Warning: contains OverShare) » saw, posted by Racer on October 26, 2004, at 11:45:13
I hear ya. My doctor thinks I eat like a pig because I have gained a ton of weight from this drug. NOW ISN'T THAT JUST LIKE A DOCTOR! Blame the patient, not the real culprit.
Posted by Starlight on October 27, 2004, at 14:34:58
In reply to Re: Effexor and weight gain ? KDB, posted by King Vultan on October 24, 2004, at 11:54:15
I've lost weight on it and actually have been able to eat whatever I want as long as I don't overdo it. But I'm also an extremely active person. and I only take 75mgs which may have something to do with it. I think at a higher dose, I'd probably be more tired and less active.
starlight
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